ETW Staff – Mumbai
Qantas has unveiled details of its new inflight dining offering, which is set to re-define the travel experience for international economy customers when it rolls out across the network from November 25, 2014. Customers will enjoy a wider choice of meals, 50 per cent larger servings and faster service.
Alan Joyce, chief executive officer, Qantas Group, said, “The dining experience will set a new standard for the five million economy customers travelling across the airline’s international network each year. Our team of food and beverage experts spent 12 months researching and developing the new menu and service to deliver what we believe to be the best inflight economy dining experience offered by any international carrier.”
“The new menu offers more generous meals and an increase from two to four meal options. We also have new meal categories, including a healthy option, comfort food and a meal inspired by the route itself, like Smoky Barbeque Beef on our US flights. We have extended our Select on Q Eat service to economy passengers enabling them to pre-order their meal online with access to an exclusive dish as the fourth dish,” added Joyce.
The new in-flight dining experience will be introduced on Hong Kong flights from February 10, 2015 – in advance of the peak travelling period of Chinese New Year- with Qantas’s Select on Q-Eat rolled out for customers departing on inbound flights into Australia progressively from March 2015.
“Together with new serving plates, which remove the need for trays, our crew will be able to serve and clear meals up to 30 minutes faster giving them more time to interact and assist passengers,” added Joyce.
On all international flights we offer a dish inspired by the destination. For example, on flights to Singapore, Qantas will offer a dish of Rice Noodles, Vegetables and Tofu, with soy chilli and garlic. On flights to Dubai, it will offer Tahini Barramundi with preserved lemon cous cous and chickpeas.
Pulled beef sliders with capsicum and tomato relish, Maltesers and fresh fruit are among the self-serve grazing options. Shortly after take-off passengers will be served a welcome drink from Bickford’s signature range, featuring flavours exclusive to Qantas such as Lemon & Elderflower, and Pink Grapefruit.
A team of Qantas food and beverage experts spent 12 months researching and developing the new menu and service, speaking with customers, visiting local producers and suppliers and researching food and dining trends. Trials were run on a number of international flights and customer satisfaction on those flights almost doubled, hitting record highs.
“In delivering the new service Qantas engages with local suppliers in each region to source the freshest produce and deliver a range of diverse dishes inspired by the destination,” said Joyce.
Select on Q-Eat will be available initially on flights departing Australia in line with the rollout schedule, and introduced progressively on inbound flights to Australia from March 2015.